AMP Article

These nuns spent a lifetime helping others. In their last years, who will help them?

Published June 21, 2026 · Updated June 21, 2026 · By Christopher Hernandez

Sister Mary Consulata assists an elderly nun as she takes tea at the Little Sisters of St Francis premises in Nkokonjeru, Uganda on May 12, 2026. The interaction takes place within the dining area of the congregation, where retired sisters are supported through daily routines. The Little Sisters of St Francis, a longstanding religious congregation in Uganda, provide ongoing care for aging members who require assistance with meals, mobility, and medical needs. Many of the elderly sisters have spent decades serving in education, healthcare, and community outreach across the country and now live within the convent under structured care and support.

These Nuns Spent a Lifetime Helping Others: Who Will Care for Them?

These nuns spent a lifetime helping - At the Little Sisters of St. Francis convent in Nkokonjeru, Central Uganda, Sister Jane Frances Nakafeero reflects on the lives of the women who have dedicated their existence to service. Walking among the white crosses in the cemetery, she gestures toward the graves of former nuns—each a testament to a life of care, teaching, and healing. "These nuns spent a lifetime helping others," she says, emphasizing the quiet legacy they have left behind.

The Motherhouse of Service and Sacrifice

The convent, known as the motherhouse of the Little Sisters of St. Francis, has long been a center for training new nuns and sending them out to serve communities across Uganda. Yet, as the sisters age, the same institution becomes their final resting place. Nakafeero, who has spent decades in the order, worries about the lack of resources for the elderly nuns. "The motherhouse is where we begin and where we end," she notes, underscoring the paradox of a place that sustains life but now struggles to support its own.

Retired nuns at the convent rely on young sisters for daily care, but their needs often go unmet. From meals to mobility assistance, the aging women face challenges that highlight a broader issue in African religious orders. With limited funding and minimal infrastructure, they lack essentials like wheelchairs, adult diapers, and hearing aids—basic necessities for a dignified end of life. This neglect is part of a growing concern: how to ensure these nuns, who have given so much, receive the care they deserve.

A Call for End-of-Life Support

Palliative care, a concept that gained traction in the 1960s, is still in its infancy in many parts of Africa. For these nuns, it represents a vital shift in how their final years are approached. Nakafeero, speaking at the African Palliative Care Association meeting in 2023, described the urgent need for structured support. "These nuns spent a lifetime helping others, but now they need help themselves," she said, prompting action from figures like Jean Callahan of the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Callahan, inspired by her own grandmother’s journey, recognized the parallel between the lives of the nuns and her family’s history. Her grandmother, Sybil, left Ireland for Tanzania in the 1950s to join the religious order. Callahan now sees the nuns as both pioneers and vulnerable individuals. "They have served humanity for all their useful years," she remarked, "and now they deserve decent, person-centered care."

In response, a pilot program has been launched in partnership with the African Palliative Care Association. Starting in September 2025, it aims to provide hospice care tailored to aging nuns, addressing their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The initiative includes training for young nuns to manage caregiving tasks, as well as activities to keep retired members mentally stimulated. This effort marks a critical step toward bridging the gap in end-of-life support for these dedicated women.

While the program is still in its early stages, its impact is already being felt. Researchers led by Eve Namisango, director of the African Palliative Care Association, are currently assessing the needs of 50 retired sisters. The order spans Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, but the focus remains on the convent’s immediate community. With plans to expand palliative care across Africa by 2027, the goal is to create a model that honors the contributions of these nuns while ensuring their final years are as meaningful as their lifetimes of service.

“These nuns spent a lifetime helping others, yet they are now left without the support they once gave so freely,” says Namisango, reflecting on the program’s mission. The effort seeks to provide not just medical care, but a sense of purpose and dignity in the twilight of their lives.